Case Management in Prevention of 30-Day Readmission in Post-Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

Purpose of Study: Thirty-day readmission is associated with increased morbidity and mortality among postoperative coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery patients. Interventions such as case management and follow-up care may reduce 30-day readmission. The purpose of this article is to report a study on modifiable factors that may have significant implications for case management in the prevention of readmission after CABG surgery. Primary Practice Setting(s): The study population included all the adult patients who underwent first-time CABG surgery from January 1, 2013, to January 1, 2016, from a Mid-South hospital. Methodology and Sample: A retrospective case-control study was employed to examine 1,712 patients who underwent CABG surgery. Results: The results revealed that patients readmitted within 30 days had a significantly shorter length of stay (LOS) (6 days vs. 10 days; p < .0001), more days in intensive care unit (6 days vs. 4 days; p = .0391), and significantly higher diabetes/renal (4% vs. 1%), infection (17% vs. 2%), and respiratory-related diagnoses (10% vs. 1%; p < .0001). Implications for Case Management Practice: Among these factors, hospital LOS is a major factor that can be addressed through case management in addition to other modifiable risk factors. Understanding modifiable factors associated with higher readmission risk is crucial for effective intervention and case management planning.